February 21, 2017
Categories: Research, Announcements
Siamese kitten sitting pointing at screen

Have a great idea that saves lives, improves welfare or keeps pets in homes? Would you love that idea to be scientifically evaluated, and to motivate others to implement it? We have a grant for that!

The Maddie’s® Idea Lab is a new initiative that supports the development and assessment of innovative ideas that have a high likelihood of achieving three important goals:

  • Advancing the lifesaving of dogs and cats
  • The utilization of foster care for dogs and cats
  • Animal welfare leadership

“The Maddie’s® Idea lab came out of a desire to do real world research that has a direct impact on the pets we care about,” said Dr. Sheila D’Arpino, Director of Research at Maddie’s Fund®. “A lot of research being conducted now tends to ask more basic questions, and, while those are important, we’re especially interested in research that demonstrates how to solve problems, get pets in homes and/or avoid shelters all together.”

To further this mission, Maddie’s Fund is offering two types of Idea Lab grants: Phase 1 – 4 and Basic Research.

Phase 1 – 4 grants are for testing a distinct, specific idea. “Each phase represents the scale of testing,” said D’Arpino. “Phase 1 is testing the idea on a small scale at one shelter or rescue organization, and as it proves successful, the testing expands to more shelters and rescue organizations. If we find it works there, it moves on to phase 2, where we’ll test it out at an additional shelter or rescue group, often times in a different geographic region.”

Phase 3 typically involves 3 – 6 organizations, and Phase 4 involves 11 – 30 organizations. However, not all ideas have to start at phase 1. Some that have already been tested on a small scale  can start at a higher phase.

Maddie’s® Idea Lab Basic Research grants are for answering specific questions, and aren’t tested in multiple phases.

“One important thing to note is that we want to support projects that are sustainable and replicable at other shelters and rescue organizations of varying sizes and resources,” explained D’Arpino. “A phase 1 project might prove successful at one shelter, but if its too costly or difficult for other groups to implement, we want people to know that – that it might be more worthwhile to invest limited resources elsewhere.”

How will the Maddie’s® Idea Lab impact lifesaving across the country? “It starts by encouraging great ideas, allowing those ideas to grow, and then scientifically proving that they work, so we can then take that information and provide grants and training for the ideas to be implemented,” D’Arpino said. This includes Maddie’s® Apprenticeships, online training or other programs as needed. “Eventually there will be online materials and training so the programs can be implemented anywhere where there is motivation to give the idea a try.”

So, who can apply? Shelters and rescue organizations, and research scientists.

“This grant is specifically for people who are interested in having their idea expanded on a national level and are willing to go through the scientific rigor to test it,” said D’Arpino. “This means working in conjunction with a research scientist for the duration of the study. Most of them last about a year or less. We will connect you with a research scientist if you do not already know one.”

D’Arpino added that it doesn’t have to be an adoption-focused project, although it certainly can be. You can see the full list of accepted categories here.

This program quietly launched about 6 months ago, and several studies are now in the works.

“One of our Phase 1 – 4 projects is with the Cat Adoption Team in Oregon,” she said. “They’re implementing their existing Fostering 4 Rock Stars program at three new shelters. The program builds foster programs for kittens less than 8 weeks old. It’s unique in several ways, one of them being that they utilize foster mentors who can support and train new fosters, which reduces staff time among other benefits.”

“A Basic Research study we have in process is with the University of Florida and Austin Pets Alive! that is looking at FeLV infected cats, to see how frequently they enter a regressive state where they can often live long and happy lives.”

Stay tuned for results on both of them, and more!

Have an idea of your own? Learn more about Maddie’s® Idea Lab Grants, see examples of submissions and apply today!